Exploring the features of complexity theories in Tehran City Comprehensive Plan (2007)

Esfandiar Zebardast ¹ ( PhD. , Professor, School of Urban Planning, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran. )
Mohammad Amin Saeidi ² ( Department of urban planning-fine arts faculty-tehran university-tehran-iran )

Submited date : 2018-11-03 Accepted date : 2019-07-15

Keywords: complexity theory, attributes of complex city, Complex System, Uncertainty, Urban Planning,

Abstract :

Todays’ cities are accepted as dynamic and ever-changing phenomena and are classified as “complex systems” in which Planning encounters with much “uncertainties”. In this kind of systems, absolute cognition of existing condition is impossible. In complex systems, “optimum” is not predictable. So, we cannot be sure about the existing condition of complex systems nor about the future and the consequences of our manipulation, then, how can we think of planning in this system? Complexity theories are about studying nonlinear dynamic complex systems. These theories deliver new approaches to study complex systems like cities. Complex systems have some common characteristics which introduces them. Openness, ever-changing, non-linear behaviors, non-equilibrium and being on the edge of chaos, self-organization, uncertainty, emergence and naturally unpredictability are some of these characteristics. Therefore, popular linear methods of planning don’t work for complex systems. In this article, eight key elements of urban planning process are proposed based on the complexity theories approaches. Qualitative prediction, gradual evolution (path dependence), actor-space relationship, actor cooperation, self-organization, inhibitor rules, ongoing evaluation, innovation and intuition are introduced with huge literature review as core characteristics of urban planning process. Afterward, in the latest Tehran master plan, use of these key words are analyzed. Summative qualitative context analyze method is used to do this. Tehran has been chosen since the importance of this city in Iran. Tehran is Iran’s capital and also economic center of Iran. It has about 8.7 million inhabitants in about 700 square kilometers area. Tehran has been known as “a problem” since more than fifty years ago. Three development plans are prepared for Tehran but problems like transportation, pollution and etc. are getting worth. Tehran is one of the most complicated cities in Iran, so, is selected as case study in this article. The latest development plan is selected because it is written that Tehran is a very complex problem in that and the plan is prepared with this consciousness. The results of the analysis show that Tehran Comprehensive Plan has not used the concept of gradual evolution, self-organization and innovation and intuition in its process of plan preparation. In the case of ongoing evaluation, just 1 process (each five years) is proposed. Cooperation (of citizens) been referred to mostly in the implementation part of the plan and not in preparation process of the plan. The concept of inhibitor rules are used in the plan, and the most refers to existing sanctioned rules, only 8 new rules are developed in the plan. Actor-space relationship is user 11 times in the plan. Qualitative prediction is used as some patterns and processes in the plan and the most are related to proposed stage. After all, it seems that eight key word proposed in this article are seldom used in Tehran comprehensive plan. In complex context of Tehran it is recommended to use complexity theory concepts to better understand the status-quo and the existing trends. Off course, this is not only the duty of preparation organizations but also all who are involved in the plan